Helminths of wild hybrid marmosets (Callithrix sp.) living in an environment with high human activity

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify the helminth fauna in hybrid, non-native marmosets, through analysis of fecal samples. The study involved 51 marmosets (genus Callithrix) from five groups living in places with levels of human impact in Viçosa-MG. The marmosets were caught using a multiple-entrance trap and were anaesthetized. Feces were collected, refrigerated and analyzed by means of the sedimentation technique (Hoffmann-Pons-Janner). Eggs and parasites were identified, but not counted. Most of the marmosets (86%) were parasitized by at least one genus of helminths. Among the infected marmosets, 37% presented co-infection. The intestinal helminths comprised four different taxa: Primasubulura jacchi, Ancylostomatidae, Prosthenorchis sp. and Dilepididae. P. jacchi and Ancylostomatidae had higher prevalences (> 80% and > 40%, respectively) and were found in all marmoset groups. Dilepididae species were found in almost all the groups, but only accounted for around 30% of the marmosets. Prosthenorchis sp. showed a relatively low prevalence (< 10%) and was only found in one group. Although two parasites are commonly found in marmosets and other primates (P. jacchi and Prosthenorchis sp.), our study is the first record for Ancylostomatidae and Dilepididae. Factors like marmosets' feeding behavior and their contact with humans and other species of nonhuman primates seem to be determinants of infection among marmosets.

Gastrointestinal parasites in captive and free-ranging Cebus albifrons in the Western Amazon, Ecuador

“…has been reported to infect C. capucinus ( Yamashita, 1963 , Parr et al., 2013b ). Prosthenorchis elegans has been reported in C. albifrons ( Garner et al., 1967 , Cárdenas-Callirgos et al., 2010 ) and from other neotropical primates, both captive ( Wolff et al., 1990 , Berrocal and Naranjo, 1999 , Pérez García et al., 2007 , Pissinatti et al., 2007 , Pérez et al., 2008 ) and free-ranging ( Berrocal and Naranjo, 1999 , Phillips et al., 2004 , Pinto et al., 2008 , Müller et al., 2010 , Wenz et al., 2010 , Tavela et al., 2013 ). However, most of these studies are case reports in which surgical interventions are usually described, but there are no available data on the prevalence and the intensity of infection.…”

Pathological and parasitological characterization of Prosthenorchis elegans in a free-ranging marmoset Callithrix geofroyi from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

“…Prosthenorchis elegans is an acanthocephalan intestinal parasite reported in neotropical primates, such as captive C. geoffroyi (Melo 2004), captive and wild Leontopithecus rosalia (Pissinatti et al 2007, Sales et al 2010, captive and wild Leontopithecus chrysomelas (Pissinatti et al 2007, Catenacci et al 2016, captive L. chrysopygus (Pissinatti et al 2007), captive L. caissara (Pissinatti et al 2007), wild Callicebus cupreus (Müller et al, 2010), wild C. penicillata (Sales et al 2010), wild C. jacchus (Sales et al 2010), wild hybrids of Callithix sp. (Tavela et al 2013), wild Cebus albifrons (Falla et al 2015), wild Saguinus leucopus (Falla et al 2015); captive S. mystax (Chen et al 2000) and wild C. kuhlii (Catenacci et al 2016). It is highly pathogenic, and identified as one of the major causes of death of neotropical primates in captivity (Pissinatti et al 2007, Müller et al 2010.…”

“…Although parasitism by P. elegans has already been described in other species of wild marmosets in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (Sales et al 2010, Tavela et al 2013Catenacci et al 2016), there are no study of the helmintic fauna from free-ranging groups of Geoffroy's marmoset. In one single study regarding helmintic fauna of this species in captivity coming from animal illegal trafficking, Melo (2004) reports the presence of P. elegans in less than 4% (2/52) of these animals.…”

Parasitic Diseases

“…Prosthenorchis elegans inhabits the lower intestinal tract of many species of South and Central American primates, including marmosets [4,16,39,52]. Adult male P. elegans measure 20e30 mm in length, whereas adult female worms measure 30e50 mm long (Fig.…”